Jets still searching for identity as Adam Lowry battles back from injury

CALGARY — Adam Lowry feels like he’s been riding a bicycle in a NASCAR race.

That’s how the Winnipeg Jets captain described his recent return to the lineup during a lengthy sit-down with coach Scott Arniel Saturday morning. 

And really, could there be a better metaphor for the way the Jets have looked of late? A team trying to keep pace in the NHL’s toughest division while still figuring out who they are, wobbling at times, and struggling to find the rhythm that carried them to a blistering start and Presidents' Trophy last season.

It’s understandable that after missing five months recovering from hip surgery, Lowry would need time to assimilate. But when your leader and most punishing middleman suggests he’s still trying to find his way, it speaks to the state of flux the Jets have been in of late.

Last year, Winnipeg was the talk of the league after winning their first eight games and opening with a 15-3 record. One year later, they sit 11-7-0 after winning just two of their last six on a tough road trip that wrapped up in Calgary Saturday night with a 4-3 shootout win at the Saddledome.

Their undoing of late has revolved largely around atypical defensive lapses — something even Vezina-winning goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck hasn’t been able to overcome.

“There isn’t panic, there isn’t a sense of urgency, but we’re in the toughest division in the league, and if you look over, those other teams are not losing too many games,” said Arniel of a Central Division in which Colorado and Dallas are the pacesetters, ahead of a tightly-grouped bunch that includes the Jets, Chicago, Utah and Minnesota.

“We want to stay in the pack here. We can’t wait until December or January and decide it’s time to turn it on. It’s too hard of a league. We need to start grabbing our points when we can right now.” 

They’re pedaling hard, trying to keep pace, but until they rediscover the defensive structure that defined them last year, they’ll continue to feel like they’re chasing cars in the fast lane.

Frustration is starting to creep in. 

“I don’t think we’ve really gotten to our identity yet,” said veteran defenceman Luke Schenn.

“Obviously we’ve got great goaltending, there’s no question about that. But I think defending is the way this team has had success in the past. When I got here last year I just noticed how hard the guys defend and play the right way, with structure and don’t cheat the game.”

No one embodies that defence-first approach better than Lowry. And while he’s been open about his battle adjusting to the speed and ferocity of the game, there’s a belief the return of the team’s poster boy will soon kick-start the engine that drives the team.

“That’s five months that he’s been out — it isn’t easy just to jump right back in,” said Arniel, who sat on the bench with Lowry for a lengthy chat before Saturday’s morning skate.

“He’s the one that said he feels like he’s on a bicycle in a NASCAR race. Until he’s starting to feel better each and every game his linemates (Nino Niederreiter and Alex Iafallo) can help him do that. And when he’s kind of going, as he’s starting to go now, it’s a big, big moment for us.”

Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Gabe Vilardi continue to be one of the best lines in hockey, but the team’s power play has dropped from first overall last season to 10^th. 

The loss of Nikolaj Ehlers, Brandon Tanev and Mason Appleton in the summer took some of the speed out of a Jets lineup that replaced them with older players like Jonathan Toews, Tanner Pearson and Gustav Nyquist.

There is a confidence amongst the group that with the recent return of Lowry, Dylan Samberg, Gustav Nyquist and Cole Perfetti from injuries the team can get back to using its depth and dominance to steady the ship. 

“We’re getting close to what I think we envisioned our lineup looking like coming into the year,” said Lowry.

“I think with the amount of turnover, with the amount of changes and stuff, it certainly takes a little bit of time to integrate everyone into the group, and develop that team identity.

“Obviously, we’re not going to look the same, or accomplish things the same as we did last year, but it’s still about the attention to detail being a real strong defensive team. That’s our team’s bread and butter. Once you kind of get the reinforcements, then you look to take the next step.”

And while injuries and new faces have complicated the team’s quest to try establishing the identity that made them so dominant last year, the fact that the team is riddled with veterans who know how to ride out stretches of turbulence is comforting.

“I think a lot of us in the room are tired of hearing about last year and talking about it,” said Josh Morrissey, a Canadian Olympic team fixture who had two assists Saturday to bring his point total to 19.

“It’s a new year, and every year is different. At the same time, we’ve got to figure out what our identity is this season. I think we’ve shown it in spurts, but obviously the last stretch here on this road trip we’ve gotten away from it a little bit. But we have full confidence in our team. We can be an elite team in this league. Last year, as it did in years past, it starts with our defensive game. 

“When we get to where we want it to be, the rest will take care of itself.”